HomeNewsroomNewsIRPF and the Phytochemical Society of Europe are calling for applications for the 2018 IRPF - Phytochemical Society of Europe Awards

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11-09-2017

IRPF and the Phytochemical Society of Europe are calling for applications for the 2018 IRPF - Phytochemical Society of Europe Awards

Pierre Fabre Research Institute (IPRF) and the Phytochemical Society of Europe are calling for applications for the 2nd IRPF- Phytochemical Society of Europe Awards. These Awards, open to scientists worldwide, reward particularly innovative phytochemical research projects in the following therapeutic fields: oncology, dermatology, the central nervous system and oral care. In 2017, 3 winners were rewarded at the Phytochemical Society of Europe's Lille Symposium in June.

Depending on the quality of the applications, 1 to 3 prizes will be awarded in each of the 4 therapeutic fields (oncology, dermatology, the central nervous system and oral care) with a check for €3,000 and an official winner’s certificate. The results will be announced in March 2018 and the Prizes will be officially presented at the conference organized by the Phytochemical Society of Europe in Liverpool at the beginning of July 2018. In addition, the winners will be invited to present their research at the Pierre Fabre R&D Center located on the Toulouse Oncopole Campus.

Our support of the Phytochemical Society of Europe through these Awards aims at fostering innovation in phytochemistry, which has always been a major area of expertise of Pierre Fabre research, stated Philippe Maillos, Head of the New Chemical Entities platform at Pierre Fabre Pharmaceutical Laboratories. This initiative is perfectly in line with our Open Innovation strategy already marked by the launch of the Nature Open Library program in December 2015 and the Pierre Fabre Fund for Innovation in February 2016, he added.

In 2017, three winners were rewarded. In oncology, Florent Olivon was nominated for his work on the molecular networking of molecules isolated from New Caledonian Euphorbiaceae, Prof. Francesco Epifano, in neurology, for the study of natural substances interacting with melatonin receptors in the context of epilepsies and Prof. Srijit Das, in dermatology, for his work on the treatment of diabetes-related skin wounds using Momordica charantia.

See the videos in which the 2017 winners discuss the awards

Florent Olivon's research, based on the technique of molecular networking, facilitated the study of extracts of New Caledonian Euphorbiaceae in the oncogenic Wnt signaling pathway and the chikungunya viral replication pathway. This research may result in the discovery of new bioactives and facilitate their purification.

Diabetes is associated with many comorbidities. These include (micro)angiopathies, which are a common complication and lead to skin lesions and trophic disorders of the extremities (wounds, wound healing disorders, perforating ulcers). Prof. Das’ research concerns the use of Momordica charantia on wounds. The promising results he presents could result in a new therapeutic proposal for patient management.